Method for replacing a generator frame of a wind turbine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10465664-B2
Application number	US-201715654762-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 20, 2017
Priority date	Jul 20, 2017
Publication date	Nov 5, 2019
Grant date	Nov 5, 2019

Abstract

A method for replacing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine includes removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame. The method also includes dismounting a control cabinet of the wind turbine from the existing generator frame. More specifically, the control cabinet is electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via a plurality of cables. The method further includes relocating and securing the control cabinet to an uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected. As such, the method includes removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle. Moreover, the method includes installing a new generator frame in place of the removed existing generator frame. Thus, the method also includes remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for replacing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine, the method comprising:
removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame;
dismounting a control cabinet of the wind turbine from the existing generator frame, the control cabinet electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via a plurality of cables;
relocating and securing the control cabinet to an uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected;
removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle;
installing a new generator frame in place of the removed existing generator frame; and,
remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing one or more support structures from the existing generator frame so as to free up the plurality of cables of the control cabinet that pass through the existing generator frame.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising removing one or more support structures from the new generator frame before installation.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the one or more support structures of the existing generator frame and the new generator frame comprise at least one of one or more beams or one or more brackets of the generator frame.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein relocating and securing the control cabinet to the uptower location within the nacelle of the wind turbine further comprises:
securing a support frame to the control cabinet; and,
securing the support frame to the uptower location.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the uptower location comprises at least one of a catwalk or another support surface within the nacelle of the wind turbine.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the support frame extends beyond the uptower location so as to provide additional mounting space for the control cabinet.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the support frame comprises an I-beam configuration.

9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising securing the support frame to the uptower location via at least one of one or more brackets, one or more fasteners, one or more straps, or combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 5 , wherein remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame further comprises:
dismounting the control cabinet from the uptower location;
removing the support frame from the control cabinet;
relocating the control cabinet atop the new generator frame; and,
securing the control cabinet to the new generator frame.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein remounting the control cabinet to the new generator frame further comprises:
organizing the cables of the control cabinet into a cable tray; and,
securing the cable tray to the new generator frame.

12. A method for removing an existing generator frame that supports a generator of a wind turbine, the method comprising:
removing the generator from atop the existing generator frame;
removing one or more support structures from the existing generator frame so as to free up a plurality of cables of a control cabinet of the wind turbine that pass through the existing generator frame;
dismounting the control cabinet from the existing generator frame, the control cabinet electrically connected to one or more wind turbine components via the plurality of cables;
securing the control cabinet to a different uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the plurality of cables remaining electrically connected; and,
removing the existing generator frame from within the nacelle.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more support structures of the existing generator frame and the new generator frame comprise at least one of one or more beams or one or more brackets of the generator frame.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein securing the control cabinet to a different uptower location within a nacelle of the wind turbine with the cables remaining electrically connected further comprises:
securing a support frame to the control cabinet; and,
securing the support frame to the different uptower location.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the different uptower location comprises at least one of a catwalk or another support surface within the nacelle of the wind turbine.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the support frame extends beyond the different uptower location so as to provide additional mounting space for the control cabinet.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising securing the support frame to the uptower location via at least one of one or more brackets, one or more fasteners, one or more straps, or combinations thereof.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Garry Michael
• Anderson Hunter Ryan
• Abram Arianna
• Jenkins Richard
• Cleveland Nicholas Joseph
• Thomas Gregory
• Johnson Michael Royce
• Sander Michael Frederick
• Signore Jonathan Paul

Classifications

• F03D13/20

  Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors · CPC title

• F05B2230/80

  Repairing, retrofitting or upgrading methods · CPC title

• F05B2240/90

  Mounting on supporting structures or systems · CPC title

• F05B2230/70

  Disassembly methods · CPC title

• F03D13/10

  Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors · CPC title